High quality physical education should be an aspiration for all schools and is considered to
be important for many reasons, not least because it may help young people to make
informed lifestyle choices and encourage lifelong participation in physical activity (Kay,
2005; Kirk, 2005; Haydn-Davies, 2005; Morgan, Kingston & Sproule, 2005). Moreover, the
introduction of the Physical Education School Sport and Club Links Strategy in 2003 (DfES
& DCMS, 2004) and then the Physical Education and Sport Strategy for Young People in
2008 (www.teachernet.gov.uk/pe/) further heightened and highlighted the importance of
regular participation in high quality physical activity, physical education and school sport.
At the core of both strategies has been the drive to increase young people’s participation
in high quality physical education and school sport.